Rúben Amorim has explained two reasons he feels Matheus Cunha can “change” the current Manchester United squad.
Rúben Amorim’s Manchester United picked up their first pre-season win with a 2-1 victory over West Ham in New Jersey, thanks to a brace from Bruno Fernandes.
United started sharply in the humid conditions, with Rasmus Højlund striking the post inside the opening two minutes. Their early dominance was rewarded when Fernandes calmly slotted home a penalty to give the Reds the lead.
Amad appeared to have doubled the advantage following a slick move started by Manuel Ugarte, but the goal was chalked off for offside. United went into half-time ahead through Fernandes’ spot-kick.
After the break, Fernandes struck again, lifting the ball over Alphonse Areola after Kobbie Mainoo won possession high up the pitch.
Jarrod Bowen pulled one back for West Ham on 64 minutes, but Amorim’s sweeping changes ensured United saw out the match and claimed a well-earned win.
Cunha has two traits that can change United
While Fernandes took the crown for his fantastic performance on Saturday evening, new signing Matheus Cunha kicked on from a good display against Leeds last week by putting in another positive 65 minutes against West Ham.
The Brazilian was electric, fast, and demanding with the ball at his feet, and is already showing glimpses of why United spent £62.5 million to sign him in June.
Speaking with NBC after the fixture, Amorim was asked for his thoughts on Cunha’s display at the MetLife Stadium, to which the head coach highlighted two key attributes.
The Portuguese manager explained that he feels Cunha will help “change” United next season, as the forward can drop deep to help in midfield, while also driving with the ball at his feet to maintain a high tempo in attack.
“I think he improves the team quite a lot, because he can run deep, but you can see that he’s one more midfielder when we have the ball,” Amorim stated.
“And then he can run with the ball with high tempo. Last year, we didn’t have that kind of player, so this kind of player can change one team.”
United need to become more dominant next season
As mentioned by Amorim, United did not have a player with the traits that Cunha possesses last season, resulting in a disjointed attacking line for the club.
The crux of many of United’s problems last season was that they did not retain possession of the ball for long enough, and when they did have it, they lacked imagination and the technical acumen to break down their opponents.
However, with Cunha and new signing Bryan Mbeumo set to form a new attacking force alongside Amad, Fernandes, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu, and possibly a new striker, the club will be able to maintain a much higher-pressure attacking line.
So many of Amorim’s best players are at their peak with the ball at their feet, so to unlock a United side that can push for European places next season, the team must look to become much more dominant on the ball, and Cunha helps that.
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